Carbonator



P 1951 J. HUDSON 2,549,311

CARBONATOR Filed Sept. 16, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEY) APrii 17, 1951 J. L. HUDSON 2,549,311

CARBONATOR Filed Sept. 16, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 50 Y I i i i] PIES. I :i

l I f": 1 3 I: ,2 A 1 49 26 Z I l I 2a 48 Z I 1 15.4. F- F W! 28 i l v 26 29 9/35 33, 3

M r I l ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 17, 1951 UNITED STATES eAreNr orrice CARBONATOR James L. Hudson, Detroit, Mich.

Application September 16, 1946, Serial No. 697,364

8- Claims.

This invention relates to carbonators, especially carbonators intended for use in automatic cup vending machines which are usually so located that it is not convenient or desirable to connect them with a water main and, consequently, they have to be provided with a tank of water. and a pump for pumping the water into the carbonating tanksagainst the pressure obtaining in these.

tanks.

The apparatus is arranged to automatically start the pump when the water in the tank or tanks falls below a given level and to automatically stop the pump when the water" reaches a given level. This is done by the aid of a column of pans which'rises and falls with the water in the tank. These pans serve not only the-function of a controlling float, but they also serve to aid in the mixture of the gas and the water. The rise and fall of these pans serves to open and close a valve in a water line which in turn controls the pump by a pressure switch, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

Another important feature of'the invention is the use of. capillary tubes or other means of'restriction in the lines used for connecting the sev-' eraltanks above the water level for the purpose of equalizing the pressure in the tanks and maintaining the same water level in all the. tank'sby allowing a slow feed of gas from tank to tank, thus preventing pocketing or trapping moregas in one cylinder than the others. ment also permits the weight of the column of water in the control tank to force the gas into the top of the second andv third cylinders back through: the restrictor lines into the'top of the control. cylinder Where it is mixed with the incoming water and is absorbed, thus permitting all the tanks torefill without appreciably raisingv the pressure in the carbonator, which must be held constant in order to match the feed of syrupto the mixing faucet. The member which controls the water valve can also be used at the same time to control the gas valve in the controlling tank.

Inthe drawings: I

Fig. I is aside elevation partly in section show ing the carbo-nating apparatus.

Fig. 2 is a plan view.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal section of the controlling tank.

Fig. 4 is a detail of the water valve.

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 55 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 shows a modified form of restrictedconnection between two tanks.

P is a pump driven by a motor The pump is This arrangeneedle valve 43 controls the entry of the water into the tank 3. One or more auxiliary tanks 5 are connected with the primary tank and each other by means of the pipes t at the bottom of the tanks. These pipes allow the water to run freely from the primary tank to the auxiliary tanks. 1 is an outlet pipe to the dispensing spigot or mixing faucet TE]. 8 is a gas tank for containing carbon dioxide or other gas under pressure. This tank is provided with a pressure-reducing valve 9. Pipe I0 connects the pressure-reducing valve with the check valve H. Pipe I2 leads to the primary tank 3, the tube l 3 passing to thebottom of the tank where the discharge opening is C011? trolled by a needle valve M. However, this discharge valve may be omitted, but it is desirable. The pipe I5 leads from the top of the control tank to the auxiliary tanks where the gas passes through pipes I6 which lead from the tops of the tanks. to the bottoms where gas is free todis-.

charge into the water.

The primary tank has a stack of pans I! that are fastened to the'rod 18. These pans are filled with water as the highest one is below the water level when the tank is filled to its maximumilevel.

When the water level in the several tanks falls below a given level, these pans are exposedbe:

pivoted to the posts 2!. A lever member 22 in the form of a channel'is pivoted on pin 23 which is fastened to the arms 2 5 of a block 25 which is secured to the head plate or cap 26 of the tank.

This block 25 has a sleeve 21' projecting through the top of the cap. The sleeve is internally threaded and is adapted to receive a pipe union 28 which has incorporated in one end a valve opening 29 and the Valve guide 38. The needle valve 43 is guided up and down by this guide 39. A block 3[ is secured to the channel-like lever 22 by the screw 32. This block carries the wire arms 33 which engage an annular groove 34 (Fig. 3)

so as to connect the needle valvewith theactuating lever 22. The swinging end of thelever is connected by pin 35 with the draft link36 which connects with the lower lever 37 that is outlet 4!. Referring to Fig. 5 it will be seen that the ends of pin are connected by springs 42 with the lever yoke 28. These levers and springs are an assembly which forms a snap-over-center actuator. Hence, when the stack of pans reaches a given point in its rise or descent they actuate the lever yoke 20 and when that reaches the midpoint of its movement the springs snap over center and give a snap action to the valve in opening or closing.

The stack of accumulator pans controls the motor switch S indirectly and not by a direct lever or link connection which would have to pass through the tank and be a source of trouble due to gas leakage. The control is indirectly by controlling the upper needle valve S. When the pans or buoy descend and the controlling lever 22 snaps over center and opens the valve, this allows the water in the coil and pipe leading from the pump to enter the primary tank. This water in the coil is sealed in the coil under pressure when the valve 43 is closed. The air cushion coil 44 traps air which permits the sealing of a given pressure in the water coil and pipe. It also prevents hammer noises when the valve shuts off or when water is running, and prevents the motor shortcycling if there is a'small leak in the valve seat. The diaphragm pressure switch S may be set to cut off the motor when the pressure in the water coil reaches 130 pounds. The reducing valve 9 in the gas tank may be set to keep the gas pressure'at pounds. Hence, the pressure in the tanks will always be 90 pounds. the buoy drops and the water valve 53 opens, the 130-pound pressure in the water coil is immediately reduced. The diaphragm switch may be set so that when the pressure drops to pounds it closes the motor switch and starts the motor and starts the pump pumping water into the primary tank and through the pipes to the auxiliary tanks. When the liquid level rises high enough to raise the buoy to the point where it again throws the snap actuator over center, this closes the valve 43. The pump continues until the pressure in the coil builds up to pounds, thereupon the switch S will automatically open the motor circuit and stop the pump. Hence, the

motor and the pump are controlled by the buoy,

the valve, the pressure in the water pipe line and the pressure switch. This control eliminates any operating connections passing out of the tank which might cause leakage of gas. It also prevents short circuiting of the electrical connections of the so-called electrode water level controls.

The gas in each tank is discharged at the bottom of the tank so that it may percolate upwardly through the water and be absorbed. The pans have the function of forming baffles to prevent the too easy rise of the gas in the water so as to tend to prevent the gas from passing through the water without becoming absorbed. The turned-over lips of the cups or pans trap gas and facilitate the absorption of the gas into the water. This is explained and claimed in my Patent No. 2,441,419, of May 11, 1948. The pans 45 in the auxiliary tanks are fastened directly to the gas tubes l6 and are stationary. They do not move upwardly like the pans i'' of the primary tank. Baffle plate A6 is secured in the bottom of the first tank to impede the upward movement of the gas to cause better absorption of the gas in the water.

When

It is desirable that the pressure in the tanks be equalized and, consequently, suitable connections are provided at the top of the tanks for this purpose but to prevent too rapid equalization of this pressure restrictive tubes 4? are used. A capillary tube forms a considerable resistance to flow of gas, due to the friction provided by the tube, and also the turbulence of the gas where such a small tube is used. These capillary tubes are preferably about .062 or of an inch in their I. D. It is undesirable to have an unimpeded communication from one tank to the other because if the pressure builds up in one tank faster than in another then some of the free gas at the top of the one tank will pass to the tank or" lower pressure without passing through the water in that tank. I can use a restricted orifice in place of a capillary tube, and such a connection between the two tanks is shown in Fig. 6. It is the desideratum to have a maximum amount of the gas pass through the water and this is achieved by having the gas inlets all at the bottom of the several tanks and having pressure-equalizing passages resistant to the flow of the gas from one tank to the other.

The accumulator pans or cups i! (the buoy) are held up when empty by means of the springs 48. These springs cooperate with the buoyancy of the water to tend to hold the buoy in the upward position. As already explained, when the water level drops there is sufficient decrease in the buoying force so that the water in the pans overcomes the buoyance of the water and the pull of the springs 28. When the tanks are first installed and there is no water in them, the springs 48 cause the valve to be closed. If the pump were turned on the water could not flow into the tank, hence some means must be provided to manually open the valve against the pull of the springs 33. This is provided in a plunger 19 which has a spring 55 that ordinarily presses it upwardly.

One can push down on this plunger and thereby open the valve to allow the tank to fill with water. Once the tank is filled this plunger may never have to be used again. In order to prevent leakage around this plunger, which is the only moving part passing through the tank, a packing and a jamb nut can be provided so as to seal the opening. These can be tightened down after the plunger has been used once to start the apparatus. This jamb nut is not shown as it is no part of the invention.

As stated above, the low-er needle valve [4 is not essential, but I find it desirable because by closing off the supply of gas while the water is coming in this reduces a rise in pressure in the tank due to the pressure generated by the pump and also from gas being admitted from the pressure reducing valve in the gas storage tank.

The air cushion connected with the water line operated against an unyielding .wall of liquid when the pressure reached the point for the motor switch to open, the pump and motor would be stopped too suddenly. The air pad eases the stoppage. Furthermore, it prevents the too frequent cycling of the motor and pump for if there were an unyielding wall of water between the pump and the valve without an air cushion, every time a few drops of water leaked out the valve the pressure would be reduced and the apparatus would start to cycle. V

I claim:

1. A carbonator having in combination, a control tank with a fresh water inlet, a valve therefor with a liquid'level control therefor, means including. a reducing valve for supplying gas under a definite pressure to the bottom of the control tank; means for supplying: water under pressure to said control tank always at a pressure greater, thansaid definite gas'pressure, one. or more auxiliary' tanks, water connections at the bottom of allxth'e tanks for connecting the control. tank with the auxiliary tanks in series, means for supplying gasunder said definite pressure to the bottom of 'the auxiliary tank or tanks, a draft connection with the lower end of the auxiliary last tank in the. series whereby carbonated li'q uid is. drawn only after it has passed through all the tanks, pipe connections between the top of the tanks having restrictions therein to permit the gradual equalization of the gas volume in the several tanks but preventing the free fiow of gas from one tank to the other.

2. A carbonator having in combination, a control tank with a fresh water inlet, a valve there.- for with a liquid level control therefor, means including a reducing valve for supplying gas under line on the delivery side of the pump and receiving pressure. only from the water from the pump, a water pressure controlled switch, connected to the water line and independent of said air trap for opening and closing the motor-circuits, valve in the tank controlling the water issuing from the water line into the tank, a float member rising and falling with the water level in the tank for controlling said Valve having connections when the water level in the'tank falls below a given level to open the valve thereby reducing a definite pressure tothe bottom of the control tank, means for supplying water under pressure to said control tank always at a pressure greater than said definite gas pressure, one or more auxiliary tanks, water connections at the bottom oi all the tanks for connecting the control tank .with the auxiliary tanksv in series, gas supply connections from the top of the control tank to the bottom of the auxiliary tank or tanks, a

draft connection with the lower end of the auxiliary last tank in the series whereby carbonated liquid is drawn only after it has passed through all the tanks, pipe connections between the. top of the tanks having restrictions therein to permit the gradual: equalization of the gas volume in the several tanks but preventing the free flow of gas from one tank to the other except through the gas flow conduits that discharge at the bot-l tom of the auxiliary tank or tanks. 3. The combination claimed in claim 1 in which the pipe connections for equalizing the volume of gas in each tank are capillary tubes.

4. The combination claimed in claim 1 in which the means for supplying water under pres sure to the control tank is a motor operated pump in which an automatic switch starts the motor when the liquid level control opens the water valve and cuts the motor off when the said control closes the valve.

5. The combination claimed in claim 1 in which the means for supplying water under pressure to the control tank is a' mQtor' operated I. pump in which an automatic switch startsthe motor when th liquid level control opens the water valve and cuts the motor off when the said control closes the valve, the said switch being set to start and out ofi the motor at pressures higher than the said definite gas pressure.

6. A carbonator for use in combination with a source of charging gas under pressure and a source of water, having in combination a charging tank, a pressure reducing valve and pipe between the source of charging gas and the tank for definitely fixing the maximum pressure of the gas in the tank, a water line leading from the water source to the chargin tank, a pump in the water line, an electric circuitand motor for driv-.

ing the pump, an air trap leadin off the water the pressure in the water line and in the air trap, thereby also decreasing the pressure on the water pressure controlled switch to close the switch anolto' start the pump pumping more water into the tank and raising the water level,

said connections when the Water level rises above a given level automatically closing the valve while the pump continues to operate to raise the pressure in the water line and the air trap to a definite point at which the waterpressure-operated switch is automatically thrown open to break the motor circuit and stop the motor and the pump, the said switch operatin in cutting off and switchin on the current at and in a pressure range greaterlthan the maximum gas pressure controlled by the pressure reducing valve, the said float and said. connections comprising a plurality of spaced pans supported on a rod which connects with levers and springs which in turn connect with the valve, the said levers and springs arranged in a snap-over-center assembly, one or more auxiliary tanks which are connected at the bottom with the charging, tank for passage of. I

water from one tank to another and which have pipe connections to deliver the gas under pressure below the water level in said tanks, and. means for connecting the au-Xfliary tanks above the liquid level to equalize the pressure, but said connections retarding the flow and equalization of the gas pressures.

'7. A carbonator for use in combination with w pump, a water pressure controlled switch con-- nected to the water line and independent of said air trap for opening and closing the motor circuit, a valve in the tank controlling the water 7 issuing from the water line into the tank, a float member rising and fallin with the water level in the tank for controllin said valve having connections when the water level in the tank falls below a given level to open the valve thereby reducing the pressure in the water line and in the 'air trap, thereby also decreasing the pressure on the water pressure controlled switch to close the switch and to start the'pump pumping more water into the tank and raising the water level, said connections when the water level rises above a given level automatically closing the valve while the pump continues to operate to raise the pressure in the water line and the air trap to a definite point at which the water pressure-operated switch is automatically thrown open to break the motor circuit and stop the motor and Y 7 the pump, the said switch operating in cutting ofi and switching on the current at and in a pressure range greater than the maximum gas pressure controlled by the pressure reducing valve, the said float and the said connections comprising a plurality of spaced pans supported on a rod which connects with levers and springs which in turn connect with the valve, the said levers and springs arranged in a snap-over-center assembly, one or more auxiliary tanks which are connected at the bottom with the chargin tank for passage of the water from one tank to another and which have pipe connections to deliver the gas under pressure below the water level in said tanks, and means for connecting the auxiliary tanks above the liquid level to equalize the pressure, but said connections retarding the flow and equalization of the gas pressures, the said means comprising one or more capillary tubes.

8. A carbonator for use in combination with a source of charging gas under pressure and a source of water, having in combination a charging tank, a pressure reducing valve and pipe between the source of charging gas and the tank for definitely fixin the maximum pressure of the gas in the tank, a water line leading fromthe water source to the charging tank, a pump in the water line, an electric circuit and motor for driving the pump, an air trap leading off the water line on the delivery side of the pump and receiving pressure only from the water from the pump, a water pressure controlled switch connected to the water line and independent of said air trap for opening and closing the motor circuit, a valve in the tank controlling the water issuing from the water line into the tank, a float member rising and falling with the water level in the tank for controlling said Valve having connections when the water level in the tank falls below a given level to open the valve thereby reducing the pressure in the water line and in the air trap, thereby also decreasing the pressure on the water pressure controlled switch to close the switch and to start the pump pumping more water into the tank and raising the water level, said connections when the water level rises above a given level automatically closing the valve while the pump continues to operate to raise the pressure in the water line and the air trap to a definite point at which the water pressure-operated switch is automatically thrown open to break the motor circuit and stop the motor and the pump, the said switch operating in cutting ofi and switching on the current at and in a pressure range greater than the maximum gas pressure controlled by the pressure reducing valve, the said float and the said connections comprising a plurality of spaced pans supported on a rod which connects with levers and springs which in turn connect with the valve, the said levers and springs arranged in a snap-over-center assembly, one or more auxiliary tanks which are connected at the bottom with the charging tank for passage of the water from one tank to another and which have pipe connections to deliver the gas under pressure below the water level in said tanks, and means for connecting the auxiliary tanks above the liquid level to equalize the pressure, but said connectionsretarding the flow and equalization of the gas pressures, the said means including a restricted orifice.

JAMES L. HUDSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the filo of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,030,851 Thomas June 25, 1912 1,434,574 Walter et a1 Nov. 7, 1922 1,598,936 Savage Sept. 7, 1926 2,217,841 Holinger Oct. 15, 1940 2,435,774 Di Pietro Feb. 10, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 367,850 France Nov. 10, 1906 

